FAQ
When was Allan’s Bakery founded?
Allan and Gloria Smith started baking and selling out of their station wagon in 1958 in Brooklyn, NY. The first storefront was opened in 1961 on Saratoga Avenue and moved to its current location on Nostrand Avenue in 1967.
Who owns Allan’s Bakery today?
The Smith family
Who manages Allan’s Bakery?
Allan, Gloria, and their three daughters, Cynthia, Delia, and Sharon
Where are you from?
Our family, family friends, and colleagues have inspired us over the years, so we cannot make a claim to representing one island, as the Caribbean community as a whole helped us get to where we are today.
Do you have another bakery?
We have one other location in Saint Vincent called “Allan Smith & Family Bakery,” which is managed by Allan.
What are your most popular items?
Top 3 Overall: Currant rolls, hardo breads (hard dough breads), and beef patties
Top 3 During Holidays: Fruit buns, cross buns, and pies
Top Item for Christmas: Black/Fruit Cakes
Top 3 During Holidays: Fruit buns, cross buns, and pies
Top Item for Christmas: Black/Fruit Cakes
If I could only buy one baked good from you, what would you recommend?
We highly recommend our currant rolls, which is a puff pastry dough rolled up with currants, sugar, and spices. We have been using the same recipe for over 60 years, which happens to be vegan.
What if I want something that is not as sweet as your currant rolls, what would you recommend?
Coconut buns, which is nowhere near as popular as our currant rolls, but it is our personal favorite when we want something just a little sweet. For something savory, try our beef patties or fried bake and codfish sandwich.
Do you make anything gluten-free?
Our standard menu does not include any gluten-free options, but please feel free to give us a call to place a special order.
Do you make anything that is vegan?
Yes, our currant rolls, apple turnovers, guava turnovers, pineapple turnovers, mango turnovers, and vegetable patties are vegan. Please feel free to give us a call to place a special order if there are any additional items you would like to be made vegan for you (i.e., we can easily make our coconut rolls vegan by swapping cow's milk for coconut milk, the honey glaze on top of our whole wheat currant rolls can be left off, etc.).
Where do you make everything?
Everything is baked and cooked on our premises located at 1109 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
Are the founders still alive?
Allan and Gloria are alive and still working to this day. When he is not in the office, Allan, who is almost 90 years old, can usually be found rolling hardo bread, which he finds to be therapeutic.
Do I need to refrigerate your baked goods?
Not necessarily since our bake goods are best enjoyed hot or at room temperature.
But, some of our family members that live outside of NY stock up when they’re in Brooklyn and freeze their baked goods once they’re home. While we would recommend enjoying everything right away, it is possible to enjoy them thawed out after being frozen (especially our hardo bread).
Please note all patties, codfish balls, and 10" round cakes ordered online are shipped with ice packs.
But, some of our family members that live outside of NY stock up when they’re in Brooklyn and freeze their baked goods once they’re home. While we would recommend enjoying everything right away, it is possible to enjoy them thawed out after being frozen (especially our hardo bread).
Please note all patties, codfish balls, and 10" round cakes ordered online are shipped with ice packs.
Do you make donations?
We make donations almost every week to organizations of all sizes. We love giving back to the community, so please don’t hesitate to inquire over the phone or in-person.
Examples of organizations we usually make donations to include: local daycares, local schools, local churches, community centers, community charities, WIADCA, Office of the Mayor, Brooklyn Borough Presidents, specific Brooklyn NYPD programs (i.e., PAL), local hospitals, CaribBEING, block parties, local colleges and universities, local Greek life chapters, cancer walks, lupus walks, and diabetes walks (which some might say is a conflict of interest, but we believe in enjoying our baked goods in moderation).
Examples of organizations we usually make donations to include: local daycares, local schools, local churches, community centers, community charities, WIADCA, Office of the Mayor, Brooklyn Borough Presidents, specific Brooklyn NYPD programs (i.e., PAL), local hospitals, CaribBEING, block parties, local colleges and universities, local Greek life chapters, cancer walks, lupus walks, and diabetes walks (which some might say is a conflict of interest, but we believe in enjoying our baked goods in moderation).
Can I place an order for pick-up?
Yes, please give us a call at (718) 774-7892
Do you deliver?
Can I use my Allan’s Bakery gift card online?
At this time, gift cards purchased online can only be used on our website. Gift cards purchase in-store can only be used in-store.
Do you offer same-day shipping?
We only offer same-day local delivery. Click here for the options available.
We bake everything from scratch, so same-day shipping nationwide is not possible at this time.
Depending on the items ordered we may need up to 5 days to ship your order (i.e., Black/Fruit Cake needs to soak in wine, rum, and liqueur before shipping, some of the ingredients for our cassava pone need to be grated by hand and then it takes hours to bake and at least an hour cool off, fruit buns need to rise multiple times for hours before they are rolled, shaped, and baked, etc.).
Total ETA from the date ordered is 2-7 business days (excluding Mondays when we are closed for normal operations).
Please reference our shipping policy (here) for more information, which can be found before you finish checking out your cart, or you can access it from the store policy tab on the header of the website.
We bake everything from scratch, so same-day shipping nationwide is not possible at this time.
Depending on the items ordered we may need up to 5 days to ship your order (i.e., Black/Fruit Cake needs to soak in wine, rum, and liqueur before shipping, some of the ingredients for our cassava pone need to be grated by hand and then it takes hours to bake and at least an hour cool off, fruit buns need to rise multiple times for hours before they are rolled, shaped, and baked, etc.).
Total ETA from the date ordered is 2-7 business days (excluding Mondays when we are closed for normal operations).
Please reference our shipping policy (here) for more information, which can be found before you finish checking out your cart, or you can access it from the store policy tab on the header of the website.
When will my package arrive?
We are sorry, but we are unable to specify an exact delivery time. Please use your tracking number to track the status of your package.
Deliveries typically occur during normal business hours. Your tracking number may not appear in the courier’s tracking system for 24 hours. You will be able to see it flow through the courier’s system and know the exact day it will arrive.
Deliveries typically occur during normal business hours. Your tracking number may not appear in the courier’s tracking system for 24 hours. You will be able to see it flow through the courier’s system and know the exact day it will arrive.
Do you have any distributors for your product?
No, at this time we only offer our products online and in our store in Brooklyn, NY
I would like to start an Allan’s Bakery franchise. How can I go about starting one?
We appreciate your interest, but we are not looking to expand into franchising at this time.
I would like to purchase your goods wholesale to sell at my bakery or restaurant?
Please give us a call at 718-774-7892, email us at [email protected], or visit our storefront to share more information
Do you offer internships?
Yes, we run internships through NYC’s various government youth programs. For internships outside of the government's program, please apply on our careers page here.
HOw is shipping & handling calculated in my shopping cart?
Couriers (UPS, FedEx, etc.) calculate the price of shipping by taking into consideration the estimated weight of your order, dimensions, and shipping location. Please ensure the shipping address is entered correctly to be charged appropriately. Shipping addresses entered incorrect usually calculate to higher shipping cost.
WHERE IS MY ORDER CONFIRMATION?
Your order confirmation is automatically sent to the email address you entered during checkout.
If you are having trouble locating your order confirmation, please check your junk/spam mailbox. If you entered your email address incorrectly, unfortunately, you will not receive your order confirmation automatically and we are not able to edit order confirmations systemically. Please call us if you have any additional questions pertaining to your order and if you believe you entered your email address incorrectly so we can manually send your order confirmation.
If you are having trouble locating your order confirmation, please check your junk/spam mailbox. If you entered your email address incorrectly, unfortunately, you will not receive your order confirmation automatically and we are not able to edit order confirmations systemically. Please call us if you have any additional questions pertaining to your order and if you believe you entered your email address incorrectly so we can manually send your order confirmation.